JOHTO+ Pedagogical leadership (5cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Content scheduling

The course implementation includes an introductory video, a preliminary survey, five online meetings (3h each) focusing on the different areas, interim assignments between the meetings, end meeting (1.5 h) as well as a final survey and reflection.

Introductory video and survey in Week no. 2 / 2026


Online meetings:
Thursday 22 January 2026, 13:00–16:00: Identifying and developing your own leadership competence
Wednesday 4 February 2026, 13:00–16:00: Areas of pedagogical leadership
Wednesday 11 February 2026, 13:00–16:00: Relational leadership and networks
Thursday 19 February 2026, 13:00–16:00: Strengthening the agency of the work community
Between Tuesday 3 March and Thursday 5 March 2026: 1.5h online meeting in small groups at a chosen date and time agreed within the group.

Objective

The purpose of this course is to provide you with perspectives and competence in pedagogical leadership in vocational and higher education. After completing the course, you will be able to assess and develop your own leadership competence, including self-leadership, peer leadership, and the leadership competence required of a teacher. You will master the key areas of pedagogical leadership and know how to apply them in the development of your own work and organisation. You will understand the significance of relational leadership and be able to strengthen interaction, trust, and collaboration. In addition, you will be able to promote both your own and your community’s agency and create conditions for a learning-oriented, participatory, and development-friendly organisational culture. You will also develop your capacity to lead learning, competence, and collaboration in changing and diverse vocational education environments.

In this course, the following competences will be developed and assessed:

Pedagogical well-being competence
The course highlights the promotion of agency and the creation of a learning and inclusive organisational culture, which is closely linked to supporting well-being. Through pedagogical leadership, it is possible to create a safe, encouraging, and collaborative environment that supports both individual and collective learning and development.

Collaboration and networking competence
Pedagogical leadership is built on interaction, trust, and collaboration. The course emphasises relational leadership, strengthening agency in the work community, and utilising networks in organisational development. The ability to identify and build purposeful networks is a key area of competence.

Content

The course consists of four areas:
- Identifying and developing your own leadership competence
- Key areas of pedagogical leadership
- Relational leadership and networks
- Strengthening the agency of the work community

Location and time

Thursday 22 January 2026, 13:00–16:00
Wednesday 4 February 2026, 13:00–16:00
Wednesday 11 February 2026, 13:00–16:00
Thursday 19 February 2026, 13:00–16:00
Between Tuesday 3 March and Thursday 5 March 2026: 1.5 h online meeting at a chosen date and time

Independent and peer group work between the online meetings

Materials

Literature, materials provided by the teachers, and related links are stored in the Moodle learning environment.

Teaching methods

The course is delivered as an online study. The learning process includes an introductory video, a preliminary survey, four online sessions (3 hours each) focusing on different themes, intermediate assignments between the sessions, end meeting 1,5 h and a final survey with reflection. The online sessions are conducted in a secure Zoom environment. Between the sessions, the student carries out and reflects on their own learning process. Moodle is used for course assignments, online guidance, and discussions.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): the student makes use of their own devices in studying.

Employer connections

Learning assignments can be linked to your own managerial or leadership work.

Student workload

Online meetings and preparatory work: 20 h
Independent and small group work: 70 h
Reading and familiarizing with literature and materials: 30 h
Reflection: 15 h

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

- You are able to identify and analyse your own leadership competence, assess your strengths and areas for development, and plan personal steps for improvement.
- You critically evaluate your time management, prioritisation, and recovery practices, and commit to the long-term development of your leadership competence and the continuous practice of self-reflection.
- You recognise the different areas of pedagogical leadership and can apply them in the planning and implementation of teaching, guidance, and learning processes.
- You assess and develop pedagogical practices to ensure objectives and quality, and you understand the importance of collaboration in engaging staff and networks to support students’ learning.
- You identify the principles of relational leadership and apply them in interaction situations, promote trust and inclusion, and act consistently to strengthen an open and constructive work community.
- You know how to evaluate and enhance the agency of a work community, facilitate shared processes, and promote the emergence of a learning-oriented, experimental, and development-friendly organisational culture.

Further information

The course is intended for students in vocational teacher education. No prior managerial or leadership experience in an educational institution is required. At the end of the course, student feedback will be collected and reflection discussions will be held.

Assessment is based on the evaluation criteria, approved learning assignments, and participation in the online meetings.

The course is implemented in collaboration with Jyväskylä and Häme University of Applied Sciences (School of Professional Teacher Education), the Institute for Educational Leadership at the University of Jyväskylä, and Tampere University. The course is part of the Teacher Education Forum’s JOHTO+ research project Pedagogical leadership competence supporting agency in vocational teacher education.

Online meetings:
Thursday 22 January 2026, 13:00–16:00: Identifying and developing your own leadership competence
Wednesday 4 February 2026, 13:00–16:00: Areas of pedagogical leadership
Wednesday 11 February 2026, 13:00–16:00: Relational leadership and networks
Thursday 19 February 2026, 13:00–16:00: Strengthening the agency of the work community
Between Tuesday 3 March and Thursday 5 March 2026: 1.5h online meeting in small groups at a chosen date and time agreed within the group.

Independent and peer group work between the online meetings